Brava Skylar! When I first heard Skylar would be doing this show, I was worried that a ballet competition in Russia would be mean-spirited--not unlike reality shows in the States. Glad to be proven wrong. I'm especially thrilled with how well Skylar's dancing is being received. They are smitten with her!
P.S. I shudder at the thought of the celebrina's coaching.
"I see you did 32 fouettes in the coda. Let try that again, but shoot for 13 this time."
"I see your foot went to passe during the pique turns. How about try just kind of letting your leg limply hang during the turns?"
"I see you did all the hops en pointe as choreographed. Why not stop halfway and just make eyes at your partner instead? We're gonna call it 'acting'!"

Enquiring minds want to know. We bet that they are. Real diamonds, that is. And oh my goodness, doesn't Svetlana pack a load of glamour and charm?! The TV camera can barely steal itself away from her to watch the performers each week. Speaking of the performers, here is last week's Flames of Par...

Oh my goodness. Our little Skylar . . . and that young Julian. Extraordinary - the pairing, the performance, the lighting, the makeup. Both artists so good. What joy this brings. They certainly got to Ludmila Semenyaka.

By some strange coincidence Rudi van Dantzig and Andy Warhol showed up on the West Side of Manhattan on the very same day last week. The countercultural darlings of the ‘60s and ‘70s were represented by the Hungarian National Ballet’s U.S. debut in van Dantzig’s Swan Lake and the Whitney Museum ...

Well deserved promotions. I’m also glad Mira Nadon got taken into the company. I love watching her in the corps.
It’s unfortunate that both LaFreniere and Kikta got injured early into the season. This is LaFrenieres second time missing a big debut. I hope we see both of them back soon. Same for Ashley Hod.

Interim leader Jon Stafford announced this afternoon that Joseph Gordon has been promoted to principal dancer and that Daniel Applebaum, Harrison Coll, Claire Kretzschmar, Aaron Sanz, Sebastian Villarini-Velez and Peter Walker have been promoted to soloists. All excellent choices. We love all of...

Landmark Theatres at W. 57th & 12th Ave has now added a third screening of An American in Paris starring Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope. Tickets are available for tomorrow night (Monday, 9/24) at 7PM. Reserve your reclining seat here.

Email from Jon Stafford and Katherine Brown: In a previous communication from New York City Ballet, you learned that the Company recently undertook an internal investigation that determined that Zachary Catazaro, Chase Finlay, and Amar Ramasar had violated the norms of conduct that NYCB expec...

I see your point. I'm just not sure how much the timing of when she came forward will matter in this case or that she first tried to get paid.
I'm also planning on attending the shows I have tickets for. I'm heartbroken for the rest of the company. I hope they remain strong and focused this season.

[Wrapping the H.H. Speculation Spectacles around the ears.] Whoever these three guys may have told to fuck off probably deserved it. Not one of the three is a jerk. Not one of them. And if you read the article closely, you will see a clear effort to denigrate them with special attention t...

She’s not a cop, so she doesn’t need a warrant to rummage through Finlay’s digital activities. If anything, Finlay should not have shared the photos to begin with. If she didn’t know she was being photographed, he shouldn’t have taken the photos. If I had discovered my partner sending my private photos to others without my consent, I would’ve snooped and gathered evidence as well. The lawsuit has excerpts of what she has. It would be quite a turn of events if it went to trial and the evidence her lawyer listed in the lawsuit was fabricated. I suppose Finlay could claim she knew/consented to the photos being taken and shared.
Including NYCB in her lawsuit is a separate matter to me. Her claims against City Ballet are based on gossip (anonymous company members raped at Vail, wild hotel room parties with unknown participants, allegations that City Ballet condoned/encouraged Chase’s behavior, etc). They’re just not as concrete as what she has against Finlay. I think she will have trouble producing evidence for these claims. What is clear to me is that her lawyer wants as much PR damage as he can manage to inflict on City Ballet.

[Wrapping the H.H. Speculation Spectacles around the ears.] Whoever these three guys may have told to fuck off probably deserved it. Not one of the three is a jerk. Not one of them. And if you read the article closely, you will see a clear effort to denigrate them with special attention t...

I think it’s telling that NYCB decided against settling, and took the PR hit, instead. This seems like their legal team believes they can get the claims against them dismissed. Chase’s role in the company is as a dancer. It’s hard for me to imagine that NYCB can he held liable for his actions for his activities outside the parameters of his role in company. Some claims are just flat out unreasonable to me. For example, there’s a claim that NYCB intended to harm her (paragraph 158).
The plaintiff’s lawyer seems to specialize in medical malpractice and personal injury. I don’t know what legal tactics are involved in that area, but reading through the lawsuit makes some of the claims against NYCB seem exaggerated.
I think Finlay, on the other hand, is in hot water. The allegations against him have criminal implications, so he might take the fifth. Since this is a civil suit, it doesn’t carry the same “silence is not an admission of guilt” property that exists in criminal trials.

[Wrapping the H.H. Speculation Spectacles around the ears.] Whoever these three guys may have told to fuck off probably deserved it. Not one of the three is a jerk. Not one of them. And if you read the article closely, you will see a clear effort to denigrate them with special attention t...

I’m also curious if she will be pressing charges.
Finlay is caught in a catch-22 here. This is a civil suit, but with potential criminal implications. If he pleads the fifth, it will likely be an adverse inference against him in this particular lawsuit. If he testifies, it can be used against him if he’s prosecuted.
NYCB might probably be able to get some of the claims against them dismissed.

[Wrapping the H.H. Speculation Spectacles around the ears.] Whoever these three guys may have told to fuck off probably deserved it. Not one of the three is a jerk. Not one of them. And if you read the article closely, you will see a clear effort to denigrate them with special attention t...

Joaquin de Luz may be retiring this fall at age 42, but perhaps this video will spur him on to keep practicing every day. Here is 53-year-old Gen Horiuchi, former NYCB principal & Oberon extraordinaire and the artistic director of St. Louis Ballet for many years, killllllling turns a la seco...

Everything about this is bizarre and the company’s description of events is incredibly vague. We don’t even know if the letter sender is the person who received the “inappropriate communication”, or how many recepients there were, or what the nature of the communications is.
This of course, gave the NYT prime opportunity to frame this situation as a sex scandal by framing it around the Peter Martins allegations. They even managed to get an anonymous dancer from the company to help them make that connection.

[Wrapping the H.H. Speculation Spectacles around the ears.] Whoever these three guys may have told to fuck off probably deserved it. Not one of the three is a jerk. Not one of them. And if you read the article closely, you will see a clear effort to denigrate them with special attention t...

[Wrapping the H.H. Speculation Spectacles around the ears.] Whoever these three guys may have told to fuck off probably deserved it. Not one of the three is a jerk. Not one of them. And if you read the article closely, you will see a clear effort to denigrate them with special attention t...

I’m wondering if NYCB’s code of conduct is overly stringent? I’m racking my brain at what kind of communication would be inappropriate enough to cause a suspension but not dismissal?
Extremely sad about the news. I’m glad to see messages or gestures of support from company members on social media.

[Wrapping the H.H. Speculation Spectacles around the ears.] Whoever these three guys may have told to fuck off probably deserved it. Not one of the three is a jerk. Not one of them. And if you read the article closely, you will see a clear effort to denigrate them with special attention t...

Kopalkova is the only coach the ABT principals hold with reverence (based on instagram posts). It's no wonder Lane has sought out Irina's help. Kopalkova has too much on her plate. The only breaks she probably gets are the Ratmansky ballets and Makarova's Bayadere. I can't imagine the dread she must feel whenever she has to work with one of the undesirables.
To add to your list of odd coaches: this season, Carla Korbes coached Boylston in Giselle. I don't know if that was ABT's doing or if Boylston sought out her help outside of ABT. Korbes was a beautiful dancer, but her training and rep was more neo-classical, no? She danced the Giselle at PNB, but I imagine PNB's Giselle is like NYCB's Swan Lake in terms of classicism. However, I wouldn't be opposed if Korbes were to help ABT out with their Balanchine.

Anyone contemplating taking up Kevin McKenzie's offer to join ABT as an imported principal, imported soloist, or guest artist should by now clearly understand that he will not be welcomed and there will be immediate and fierce pushback if he grabs the promotions and opportunities due other dance...

That's a good point about the thin coaching staff at ABT. With Radetsky leading the studio company, I still have hope for the future. Perhaps the up-and-comers will be better prepared to take on the challenges of ABT's classical rep with the skill and artistry it deserves.
The lackluster seasons are clear indication of how steep a price ABT is having to pay for KM's mismanagement. He sacrificed the company's long-term health and morale for short-term gains that failed to materialize. On top of that, ABT also lost Marcelo. McKenzie delivered the double whammy of short-term losses, as well as long-term losses. And for that, the board will continue to overpay the blundering AD.
It's truly unfortunate that the audience and the company are bearing the brunt of the damages instead of the people responsible.

Anyone contemplating taking up Kevin McKenzie's offer to join ABT as an imported principal, imported soloist, or guest artist should by now clearly understand that he will not be welcomed and there will be immediate and fierce pushback if he grabs the promotions and opportunities due other dance...

As much as I want Hallberg to be more dedicated to ABT, I can't really blame him for his low number of performances.
It befuddles me how Whiteside is a principal, but Forster and Hoven aren't. Perhaps McKenzie's criteria for promoting dancers is everything except ballet.

Anyone contemplating taking up Kevin McKenzie's offer to join ABT as an imported principal, imported soloist, or guest artist should by now clearly understand that he will not be welcomed and there will be immediate and fierce pushback if he grabs the promotions and opportunities due other dance...

Cirio's departure was quite a surprise to me, especially since he got promoted extremely quickly. As for Hallberg, is he leaving ABT as well? I haven't seen anything. Or is it a reference to his very light workload as a principal? Roberto Bolle is also barely dancing with ABT anymore.
I also like Gorak whenever I see him dance, but he didn't really get cast in anything substantial this season. It seemed to me like his progress got stalled when McKenzie brought in Cirio.

Anyone contemplating taking up Kevin McKenzie's offer to join ABT as an imported principal, imported soloist, or guest artist should by now clearly understand that he will not be welcomed and there will be immediate and fierce pushback if he grabs the promotions and opportunities due other dance...

Marcelo Gomes will return as guest artist at Sarasota Ballet for the upcoming season, the company just announced. In addition to his appearance with the company in Ashton's The Two Pigeons at the Joyce Theater this August, he will perform in Balanchine's Diamonds in Sarasota in December. In Jan...

Wednesday’s matinee and evening performances of Natalia Makarova’s exquisite production of La Bayadere included debuts by the tallest and the shortest ballerinas portraying Nikiya for ABT. At the end of the day, they both stood tall as Himalayan peaks among the ever-rolling range of highs and be...

I also saw Lane/Cornejo/Brandt. I hope Lane gets more chances to work on this role. She has earned this role many seasons ago.
When Nikiya sees Solor and Gamzatti sitting together, the look of heartbreak on Lane’s face felt so real and still stays with me. What an actress. Her dancing was beautiful as always. Her chemistry with Cornejo is beautiful to watch.
I found a documentary on the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo on YouTube. McKenzie seems determined to be take the same route as Serge Denham towards the end. He continues his failing crusade to sell unqualified dancers as major ballerinas, which just makes the rep feel stale. New ballets or old war horses, it’s hopeless with Copeland and Boylston getting so many performances.

Wednesday’s matinee and evening performances of Natalia Makarova’s exquisite production of La Bayadere included debuts by the tallest and the shortest ballerinas portraying Nikiya for ABT. At the end of the day, they both stood tall as Himalayan peaks among the ever-rolling range of highs and be...

Last January when we heard that Wayne McGregor was coming to town to create AfteRite to Stravinsky’s iconic score, we made this prediction of what Wayne’s World would reveal: The savages consumed the sacrificial virgin while wearing nude-colored briefs to accentuate the dislocation of their ...

I wonder if he thinks he can pull off what Peter Martins did with the fashion galas: turn middling creations into good PR for the company. God knows the only thing you seem to need to get NYT’s stamp of approval these days is to have same-sex partnering.

Last January when we heard that Wayne McGregor was coming to town to create AfteRite to Stravinsky’s iconic score, we made this prediction of what Wayne’s World would reveal: The savages consumed the sacrificial virgin while wearing nude-colored briefs to accentuate the dislocation of their ...

I still marvel at ABT’s stupidity with pairing Firebird with the new McGregor. With the Misty Firebird Barbie, a chunk of the audience will be families who want to get a glimpse at the Celebrina.
Only having seen rehearsals of McGregor works on the Royal Ballet YouTube, it’s enough to tell you that his work isn’t for children. It’s an astounding oversight in programming. They could’ve paired it with another short ballet that might get the Misty-fans interested in their other dancers that are actually worth watching.
It seems to me the only thing consistent about ABT is its ability to alienate audiences. Balletomane or no, you’re sure to find something to dislike.
I’m already sad NYCB’s spring season is coming to a close. I’m sorry you had to sit through that garbage, but I certainly appreciate your reports.

Last January when we heard that Wayne McGregor was coming to town to create AfteRite to Stravinsky’s iconic score, we made this prediction of what Wayne’s World would reveal: The savages consumed the sacrificial virgin while wearing nude-colored briefs to accentuate the dislocation of their ...